We might be compelled in a different city to call what the Texans are doing this offseason rebuilding.

The Astros, however, have set an entirely different standard for rebuilding.

So the Texans aren’t rebuilding as we have come to know it. Neither are they exactly reloading.

Unloading seems closer to it after the release Monday of strong safety Danieal Manning. Who’s next? Cornerback Jonathan Joseph might, like Manning, to be asked to take a pay cut and, like Manning, decline. Guard Wade Smith might not be re-signed.

When coach Gary Kubiak was fired in December, Texans owner Bob McNair seemed to believe the team, en route to a 2-14 record, would be an easy fix.

“We don’t have to do a lot to get us back on track,” he said. “We’re going to do everything we can do to that and we expect to be right back in playoff contention next year.

“This is not a long-term rebuilding process. I want to make that clear. We’ve got core players who are outstanding players and we still need to fill a few holes…We have some things that we need to do, but we’ve still got a good core group of players that can make for an outstanding team.”

They have more than a few holes now. The new coach, Bill O’Brien, hasn’t given many decipherable clues about his thinking either about the returning Texans or potential new ones. But a guess, based on the fact the Texans have 11 draft choices in May plus three from 2013 who didn’t play last season because of injuries, is they are going to be very inexperienced at some positions, especially along the offensive line.

And, more importantly, quarterback at some point.

A lot can change between now and training camp, starting with O’Brien’s first opportunity this month to have meaningful meetings with the players, but the Texans don’t look at this point like a playoff team.

Photo: John Raoux / Associated Press

Image 1of/11

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 11

If the Texans select a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2014 NFL draft, it’ll be either Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater, Central Florida’s Blake Bortles or Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel. University of Houston defensive coordinator David Gibbs and Rice defensive coordinator Chris Thurmond faced the trio last season. The coaches used game tape to break down the performances for the Houston Chronicle. less

If the Texans select a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2014 NFL draft, it’ll be either Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater, Central Florida’s Blake Bortles or Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel. ... more

Johnny Manziel
Aug. 31: Texas A&M 52, Rice 31Manziel's stats: 6-8, 94 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 297.5 QB rating
*Only played second half due to suspension
Thurmond's take: “I’ve done this for a long, long time — I’ve done this for over 30 years. This guy is the biggest difference-maker of anybody that we’ve ever watched on film. He has so many intangibles. When you’re playing with him, he has so much confidence and he makes so many plays that everybody around him, he makes them play better.” less

Gibbs and Thurmond weigh in on the strengths of the top-three quarterbacks available in the 2014 draft.

Gibbs and Thurmond weigh in on the strengths of the top-three quarterbacks available in the 2014 draft.

Photo: Jerry Baker / For the Chronicle

Image 6 of 11

Most accurate - Bridgewater
Gibbs: “The guy throws a helluva ball. We’ve got decent coverage, not great coverage. He puts it right where he’s got to put it.”

Most accurate - Bridgewater
Gibbs: “The guy throws a helluva ball. We’ve got decent coverage, not great coverage. He puts it right where he’s got to put it.”

Photo: John Raoux / Associated Press

Image 7 of 11

Best arm - Bortles
Gibbs: “He does have a bigger windup than Teddy. But it is a freakin’ great throw.”

Best arm - Bortles
Gibbs: “He does have a bigger windup than Teddy. But it is a freakin’ great throw.”

Photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

Image 8 of 11

Most disciplined: Bridgewater
Gibbs: “Teddy can make all the throws. He gets rid of the ball quick. He is well-coached. Very polished and impressive.”

Most disciplined: Bridgewater
Gibbs: “Teddy can make all the throws. He gets rid of the ball quick. He is well-coached. Very polished and impressive.”

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

Image 9 of 11

Fastest: Manziel
Thurmond: “(Manziel) may have better short-area quickness, because this guy can make you miss. Where Cam (Newton) runs through things, (Manziel) runs away from things and runs out of things.” less

Fastest: Manziel
Thurmond: “(Manziel) may have better short-area quickness, because this guy can make you miss. Where Cam (Newton) runs through things, (Manziel) runs away from things and runs out of